Automatic attachment for pianos.



Patented May l3, I902.

v .l. A. SMITH. AUTOMATIC ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS.

(Application filed May 10, 1901.)

(No Model.)

THE NDRRH PETERS ca, vno'roumou WASHINGTON; b. c.

NITED STATES Farmer tries.

JOHN A. SMITH, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO SMITH LYRA- PHONECOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

AUTOMATIC ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS.

SPECIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Tatent No. 699,931, dated May 13,1902.

Application filed May 10, 1901. Serial No. 59,626. (No model.)

T aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN A.SM1TH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Automatic Attachments for Pianos, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic attachments forpianos.-

The object of the invention is to provide an eflicient and convenientmeans for vertically adjusting the instrument within the ends thereof,whereby the key-levers may be brought into proper relations to thekeyboard of. the piano to be played.

The invention consists of the new and novel parts and combination ofparts hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly insection, showing my invention applied thereto; and Fig. 2 is a side Viewof one of the ends of the case, showing the frame to which the body ofthe case and the operative parts of the instrument are secured, alsoshowing one of the treadles in section and means for adjusting the same.

As the mechanism in both ends for raising and lowering the instrument isidentical in construction and operation, it is thought sufficient forthe purpose of this specification to describe only one end and the partsconnected therewith.

Like numerals designate like parts th roughout the several views. 7

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification, 1 designates the body of the case, 2 the ends of thecase, between which the body of the case and operative parts of theinstrument are vertically adjustable, and 3 one end of the metal frameto which the body of the case and internal mechanism are secured. Thebody of the case is constructed of wood and may be of any desired designand is secured to the metal frame 3 by any suitable means. The ends ofthe metal frame 3 areconnected by a transverse metal bar 4 and areprovided with laterally-projecting lugs 5 and 6, which extend into thecut-outs orrecesses 7 and 8 in the ends 2 of the case. Each of theselugs 5 and 6 is provided with central apertures through which the bolt 9extends, the aperture in the lug 6 being screw-threaded for thereception of the threaded end of the bolt 9. The ends 2 are providedwith cut-outs or recesses 7 and 8, as above described, and a centralvertical pole 10 for the reception .of the bolt 9. The bolt 9 passesthrough the apertures in the lugs 5 and 6. The head of the bolt 9 restsupon the Washer 11 and is pro vided with a transverse slot 12 for theaccommodation of a screw-driver or other suitable tool.

Vhen it is desired to raise or lower the instrument to bring thekey-levers into proper relations to the keyboard of the piano to beplayed, a screw-driver or other suitable tool is placed in the slot 12and the bolt 9 turned to the right or left, as desired. When the bolt 9is turned to the right, the threaded end thereof turning in thescrew-threaded lug G forces the frame 3 upward, carrying with it thebody of the casing and operative parts of the instrument which aresecured to the said frame 3, (including the key-levers,) while the ends2 of the casing remain stationary. When the bolt 9is turned to the left,the frame 3 and the parts carried thereby are lowered. The ends 3 areeach provided with a bolt 9 to raise and lower the said instrument.

When the instrument is raised or lowered, it is also desirable and insome instances nec essary to adjust the treadles. I have thereforeprovided means for accomplishing this purpose.

The treadles 13 are provided with blocks 14, held thereto by screws 15and having eyes 16 on the under side thereof. The belts 17 pass downthrough the ends of the treadles, between the treadles and blocks 14,through the eyes 16, and back again between the block and treadle, wherethey are clamped by tightening the screws 15. When itis desired toadjust the said treadles, the screws 15 are loosened and the beltspulled in the proper direction I until the desired position is obtained.The screws 15 are then tightened and the belts securely clamped betweenthe trea dies 13 and blocks 14. The upper ends of the belts 17 aresecured to the driving-shaft 18.

Having .thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an automatic attachment for pianos, the combination of the twostationary ends of the casing; a metal frame, carrying the operativeparts of the instrument, having lugs projecting at right angles theretoand extending into said ends; means passing through the said lugs andends for vertically adjusting the frame with relation to said ends,substantially as described.

2. In an automatic attachment for pianos, the combination of the twostationary ends of the casing each having a vertical hole passing downfrom the top thereof; a metal frame,carrying the operative parts of theinstrument, having lugs projecting at right angles thereto and extendinginto the said ends; and a bolt passing through the vertical hole in thesaid ends and through the lugs, for vertically adjusting the frame withrelation to the said ends, substantially as described.

3. In an automatic attachment for pianos the combination ola frame adjustably secured to the ends of the casing and carrying the operativeparts of the instrument; means to raise and lower the frame; adriving-shaft; belts connecting the driving-shaft with the treadles;treadles having blocks on their under sides secured thereto by screwsfor gripping said belt, and eyes through which said belts pass, as andfor the purpose described.

4t. In an automatic attachment for pianos, the combination of a framesecured to the ends thereof and carrying the operative parts of theinstrument; a bolt to raise and lower the frame; a driving-shaft; beltsconnecting the treadles with the driving-shaft; and means to adjust thesaid treadles with relation to the said belts, to maintain the properangle of the said treadle, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN A. SHITII.

\Vitnesses: V

CI-IAPIN A. FERGUSON, Gnonon II. READ.

